Vanessa Martinez Lagunas understands the importance of the Duckworth Challenge — now in its 28th year.

"I think it's really good to be a part of it and to have a derby in the city with everyone getting excited about it," the head coach of the Bison women's soccer team says. "We know that it's very important, because we're not only the first ones to start, but also many times we can make the difference."

The challenge was started by the late Dr. Henry E. Duckworth, who served as president of the University of Winnipeg for 10 years beginning in 1971 and was also chancellor at the U of M from 1986-92. It originated in the 1991-92 season and was Duckworth's attempt to create a spirited cross-town rivalry between the two universities.

The sports involved are volleyball, basketball, and soccer (women's only), which was added in the 2013-14 season — the first year Martinez Lagunas led the sideline for the Bisons.

Manitoba is 3-0-2 in the soccer portion of the challenge, however the Bisons lost the trophy to the Wesmen last year. 

"There is only one women's soccer match in the Duckworth Challenge, rather than two male and female [for basketball and volleyball]," Martinez Lagunas says. "We know that we need to start strong and we really want to help our university to win the cup back, because we lost it last year. We are definitely all ready to go."

Adding to the excitement is the fact that the game is being played inside Investors Group Field, which hosted a stage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. The last time these two teams played inside of IGF during the Duckworth Challenge was in 2016. The game ended in a 1-1 tie.

"I think it's just unbelievable, and for our players and our coaching staff, it is a dream come true," Martinez Lagunas says of playing inside the stadium.

"I think we're very lucky to have that opportunity and if I'm not mistaken, we're the only university in the world that gets to do that. That's a huge honour and I've made sure that our players know that. I am very sure that they're going to give their very best, because they really want to win that game."

On top of the Duckworth Challenge and stadium atmosphere, the contest will also feature the rose ceremony, a tradition started way back by Bison soccer founders Gary Johnson and Walter McKee, the former of whom is still a manager for the team.

Each player chooses someone who has been influential in their soccer careers. It can be a parent, family member, friend, or whoever they want. Before kickoff, the players give a rose as a thank you for what the selected person has done for them and for being able to have the opportunity to be playing soccer at this high a level.

"The IGF game is the perfect scenario to do that," says Martinez Lagunas. "Again, that's another motivation for the girls to play well."